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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Sustainability Experience Center is a nine-acre property on the eastern edge of Penn State’s University Park campus, which acts as a living laboratory for students, faculty, and the community. Hosting a wide range of indoor and outdoor classrooms for hands-on learning, the SEC is home to the MorningStar solar home, the Eco-Machine ecological wastewater system, a community garden, experimental forests, and multiple ongoing research projects. It also offers an ideal setting for exploring food, energy, water, land, and community systems.
We’re looking for an intern to support educational tours and visitor engagement while helping steward the property’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots to maintain a welcoming, functional space for all visitors.
Ideally will start in March 2027 and run through the end of June 2027.
Key roles and responsibilities:
Leads engaging and educational tours for visitors and supports public programming, including workshops, volunteer events, and other visitor experiences
Support general site operations, including basic data tracking, garden and plant documentation, and preparation for programming and tours
Support maintenance of the SEC’s pollinator garden and vegetable plots, including planting, weeding, harvesting, and general upkeep to help maintain an inviting and functional learning environment
Preferred Skills and Competencies:
Interest in sustainability, environmental education, gardening, and ecological stewardship
Comfort with public speaking and engaging diverse audiences
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in outdoor settings; May require the ability to work in an outdoor environment in adverse weather conditions including extreme heat and cold
Basic proficiency in Excel or similar data tracking tools
What the Intern will Gain:
Experience leading sustainability-focused tours and supporting engagement initiatives
Hands-on experience in pollinator garden maintenance and ecological land stewardship
Exposure to sustainability systems, including food, water, energy, and land use at the SEC
Basic skills in garden documentation, plant monitoring, and educational programming support
Confidence working independently and as part of a small, collaborative team
This internship develops several NACE competencies through hands-on sustainability work, public engagement, and site stewardship
Leading tours and educational programming strengthens communication, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism
Supporting garden maintenance, documentation, and site operations develops critical thinking, technology, and organizational skills
Working with diverse visitors and community members also promotes equity and inclusion while encouraging career and professional growth through experiential learning.
Support of Outreach's Priorities: The intern helps connect visitors with Penn State research and sustainability initiatives while supporting the University’s land-grant mission through accessible, community-centered educational experiences. The internship aligns with Penn State Outreach’s strategic priorities of enhancing student success and increasing land-grant impact by providing…